Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 455 - 256: Please Your Majesty, Go to Die! (8600 characters for monthly ticket)_5

The flames crackled as they burned, casting light on the deeply wrinkled face of the man who was now over sixty years old, revealing an indescribable coldness.

Just moments before, the fierce Emperor Gaozong of Qi had become dispirited upon seeing the scene; his voice softened again, "Prime Minister Li, what does this mean?

"This place is dangerous. Prime Minister Li, please come out quickly. If something were to happen to you, whom could my vast realm of Qi Dynasty rely on?"

Emperor Gaozong had noticed the odd look on Li Hao’s face, but he also understood that it was time to act submissive.

First, find a way to coax Li Hao out, then discuss other matters later.

With a torch in hand and a smile that was not quite a smile, Li Hao said, "Your Majesty, there are three things I wish to tell you."

Emperor Gaozong’s gaze still lingered on the torch in his hand, "Oh, Prime Minister Li, just three things, when could those not be discussed?

"Prime Minister, please come out first. Let us, ruler and minister, discuss this at length, shall we?"

Li Hao let out a cold laugh, casually pacing two steps in the cabin, his gaze sweeping over the gunpowder and fierce fire oil on the floor.

"The first thing, General Han Fuyue is still alive."

Emperor Gaozong’s complexion noticeably changed, "General Han is still alive?"

Li Hao nodded, "That’s right, initially, I did not kill General Han Fuyue. Instead, I switched the prison guard in advance and swapped him with a death row inmate who looked similar to him.

"At this moment, General Han is living well in a manor on the outskirts of the capital, in very good health."

Emperor Gaozong’s expression turned pale at first but then seemed to show some joy, "Oh, well isn’t that wonderful?

"With General Han around, why should we worry about those from Jin?

"Prime Minister, you truly planned ahead. Could it be that you already foresaw this day, thus leaving behind this pillar of the state for me?

"If so, you should have reported it earlier! I will now vindicate General Han and have him lead troops to resist Jin!"

Li Hao, with a smile that was not quite a smile, said, "Your Majesty, are you no longer afraid that General Han will rebel?"

The expression on Emperor Gaozong’s face became somewhat awkward, "Ahem, rebel... General Han was able to obey the decree to return last time, endured so much suffering in prison without a word of complaint; it seems, he would not rebel."

Li Hao burst into hearty laughter, "So you know it too, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Gaozong felt the situation was incredibly unnerving, but constrained by the torch in the opposing hand, he could only awkwardly join in the laughter.

Li Hao’s expression turned serious again as he continued, "The second thing, in fact, over the years, while I have been monopolizing power, I have not completely filled important governmental positions with my own cronies.

"Some capable and effective ministers are already embedded within the Six Ministries.

"Just by following the plans, promoting these people, we could immediately eradicate the malpractices in the court and rejuvenate the entire government.

"Of course, it would also be best to change the current chief ministers.

"Zhao Binfu is a good pick. He has the talent to be a chief minister and should be capable of supporting the state."

Emperor Gaozong’s complexion changed again, but he still forced a smile, "Prime Minister, what you are doing is truly for the nation and the people!

"Having such capable ministers, why do you not use them yourself, Prime Minister?

"Please quickly produce a list of these individuals so that they can help stabilize our dynasty for my son."

Li Hao smiled, "There’s no need for the Supreme Emperor to worry about this. Before boarding the ship, I had already secretly passed the list to the current emperor.

"And as for why I say Zhao Binfu has the talent for the role of chief minister...

"Of course, it’s because of the third thing I want to tell you.

"I... my time is short.

"Even if the Jin people don’t invade the south, I have only a year or two left to live.

"So, over the years, I allowed the northern defenses to deteriorate and repeatedly transmitted intelligence to Jin, all to make Wanyan Hailing recognize as soon as possible the fact that our dynasty is vulnerable, to hasten their invasion."

Emperor Gaozong’s expression was one of shock, "What... What exactly are you trying to do?"

He was utterly bewildered at this point.

To say Li Hao was colluding with the Jin, betraying his country for glory?

But he had secretly saved General Han Fuyue. As long as this Divine General was present, Qi Dynasty would always possess the power to resist.

To say Li Hao was loyal and patriotic?

But then, why did he persist in transmitting intelligence to the Jin? Even allowing them to attack earlier?

Chuge’s expression suddenly turned cold, "What do I intend to do? Dog Emperor, is this really so hard to understand?

"Who was it that initially wanted to kill General Han Fuyue? You couldn’t have been brainwashed so much that you’ve forgotten it yourself!

"In the Xuande Hall at that time, what did I say? From any perspective, there was no need to withdraw our troops, much less any need to kill General Han Fuyue!

"Your throne was very secure, and General Han had never harbored any thoughts of rebellion!

"Yet what about you? Whether it was withdrawing troops, calling a truce, or the wrongful killing of General Han Fuyue, weren’t all these things instigated by you behind the scenes!

"If I were to arrange for General Han’s resurgence, how could I know that you wouldn’t remotely command and manipulate again, pulling another deception with the ’Twelve Gold Medals’!

"With a dog emperor like you, isn’t the court filled with nothing but flattering, deceitful villains like me, Li Hao?"

Emperor Gaozong of Qi’s complexion then completely changed.

Chuge’s utterance of "Dog Emperor" was akin to outright tearing off the facade, and his following words spilled all the hidden secrets of the past, stripping off Emperor Gaozong’s fig leaf.

Although somewhat furious and embarrassed, Emperor Gaozong glanced at the torch in Chuge’s hands and attempted one last recourse.

"Minister Li, my beloved official! Calm your anger, I know I was wrong! In fact, over these ten years, when have I not regretted the decisions I made then?

"Only now do I understand, General Han would not have rebelled, and should not be killed.

"Fortunately, beloved official, you left some leeway for me; this time, I will definitely reinstate General Han! Minister Li, come out now, I will draft a decree immediately to exonerate General Han!"

Chuge, however, shook his head.

"No need.

"I don’t have many years left to live, but you, your lifetime still stretches long ahead.

"As the current emperor is a person who highly values filial piety, it’s hard for him not to be influenced by you.

"Without this ship, my ten years of painstaking efforts would be ruined in an instant.

"So..."

He paused, then, letting go slightly, let the blazing torch naturally slide from his grasp.

"For the Qi dynasty’s survival...

"Please, Your Majesty, go to your death!"

Emperor Gaozong of Qi screamed, "No!"

But it was already too late.

The torch in Chuge’s hand fell, landing on a wooden crate nearby filled with gunpowder and fierce fire oil.

"Boom!"

The flames swiftly expanded, instantly engulfing the entire cabin.

...

Near nightfall on the sea, a large ship was smoothly sailing.

However, in the next instant, a violent explosion suddenly erupted from within the cabin, the entire hull shook violently!

The explosion instantly pierced through the bottom of the ship, a torrent of seawater rushed in.

Yet the flames did not diminish due to the inflow of seawater; instead, fueled by the fierce fire oil and various flammable materials, they quickly spread, leaping from cabin to cabin, swiftly enveloping the entire large ship.

Like a fire lotus blooming on the sea.

Several escort ships nearby, all of their crews’ faces drastically changed, were very chaotically trying to organize a rescue.

But it was all too late.

The flame-engulfed vessel slowly sank in the sea, not one on board survived.

And in this Trial Illusion of the Qi dynasty, it was reborn from this great fire.